Things that are making me laugh

1. Yesterday Lillian was in her crib for about 20 minutes, for what I thought would be a nap. Instead she was cooing and sighing and grunting happily. When I walked into her room, I found her rolled over onto her back, happy as a clam and so very proud of herself.

2. On Wednesday I took Charlie’s diaper off and learned that his very full, very small diaper was a Size 2 — he had needed a change when he and my dad were out of town, and the only diaper my dad could find in his car was one of Lillian’s!

3. Charlie long ago learned how to turn the music on on my radio alarm clock. This morning while I was feeding Lillian in her room, Charlie woke up and went into our bedroom. Suddenly I heard the music turn on, and Jeff began belting out “I got friends in low places.” I think he may have finally caught up on sleep last night.

Feelin’ all right

Okay, so. Yes, I’ve been in denial about my birthday. And yes, it happened anyway.

Welcome to your late 20s, self!

And you know what? The day itself has been a real treat. Full of treats, in fact. Treats of the food sort. I have eaten and eaten and eaten in celebration of this birthday that I didn’t even really want to happen.

Last night was cake and ice cream with Jeff’s parents, Jeff’s grandparents, my parents, and our little family of four. Have I mentioned that I love living near family?

This morning started off with breakfast in bed, thanks to my lovely husband who has graciously taken on this tradition that I grew up with and loved so much. Jeff made me french toast, with a second course of Reese’s Puffs cereal. I describe this cereal as “heaven in a bowl.” Ooooh, it’s good. In college I would eat it sometimes for breakfast, actually convincing myself that it would serve just fine as breakfast — you know, the most important meal of the day. Then after Jeff and I got married, he couldn’t understand why I would start my day with junk food. He made fun of me a few too many times, and I stopped buying them.

Today I was all too happy to see them again.

Jeff also brought a few indulgences to be consumed “guilt free” on my birthday: peanut M&Ms and itty bitty cans of Pepsi.

It was fun to start my day with the four of us piled onto our bed. Here we all are, disheveled and jammie-clad.

(My kids crack me up. Lillian really needs to learn how to smile for the camera; Charlie really needs to learn how to tone it down.)

For lunch, my mom came home from work, and my dad set out a surprise cake. So more yummy cake was had by all.

For supper, my parents wanted to take me out to eat. Our choices were confined to city limits since I had to be back in time to call Bingo (!!) at the nursing home tonight. So I chose Applebee’s. We stuffed ourselves, and then the waitress brought me a little cheesecake dessert for my bday. She apparently noticed my oversized blue birthday ribbon (thanks, Cassie!). More sugar in the system.

After work tonight, my mom asked if she could take me out to Sonic. Can’t ever turn down Sonic! Especially girls’ night out! So out we went in search of more yummy goodness. I’m still working on my strawberry cream slush.

So all in all, a delicious birthday. Perhaps a little too delicious: tonight at work, a fellow employee asked if I’m expecting.

That was not the highlight of my day. But I’m not going to care about it tonight. Because it’s still my birthday. I’ll care tomorrow, when I begin starving myself.

Goods and bads

Things I love/enjoy/appreciate right now:

-Big blue skies with clouds and stars
-Bathtime for the baby. Lillian kicks her legs and pumps her arms and thrashes all about, squealing and focusing and working so hard at having so much fun. This is my very favorite part of the day.
-Charlie’s funny sentences. Tonight my dad was talking about the zoo, and Charlie just couldn’t understand why we couldn’t go right away. He insisted, while it was pouring rain, “It’s sunny outside, let’s go to the zoo right NOW!” He’s picking up on our inflection, and he uses it so sweetly. A common request when we’re in the car now is: “Mommy? Go that way and maybe see a choo-coo, okay?”
-Living life with my parents.
-Fall.
-Being able to celebrate my birthday this week with family.

Things I don’t at all love/enjoy/appreciate right now:

-Mosquitos.
-Charlie’s constant use of “no” and his struggles to fall asleep on his own.
-Feeling busy when we don’t even have a social life yet!
-Living 30 minutes from a Target. *sigh*
-Turning 28. Woe is me. I’ve always loved birthdays and never thought I would be that person who dreaded a birthday. But this year I’m dreading it. And if you’re older than 28, please please please don’t comment and say, “But you’re so young, yada yada yada.” I know that in the big scheme of things, I am still “young.” But don’t you remember turning 28? And how it seemed old? And how it officially put you in your late-20s? And how that isn’t at all pleasant? Hmmph.

Happy early bday to me!

Check this out.

One Saturday. Three new pairs of shoes. Fourteen dollars total.

Jessica Maston, I so thought of you!

And speaking of shoes:

The latest

A glimpse at our Kansas days so far:

Pool time with Gramps.

Family time, which included introducing Lillian to her Grampy for the very first time. Here are Jeff’s parents with the kiddos:

Cousin time and playground time. Charlie followed Adrianna like a little puppy.

Bath party time. This looks like great fun, but what you can’t see is the total meltdown from both parties that occurred just after this photo was taken.

Silly photo shoot time.

And, of course, growing-and-changing time.

Mr. Sun

We have quite a history with Mr. Sun, a beautiful story of lost and found.

Most of the baby toys we own have been gifts or bargains, two things I love and welcome. But this particular toy, Mr. Sun, was a purchase I made at Shoppers Drug Mart in Vancouver in a desperate attempt to DO something with Charlie. He was two months old, and I was bored with our lack of interaction. But he could have cared less. Finally around three months of age, he began lighting up at the sight of Mr. Sun, and we deemed it his favorite toy. It would magically quiet him in the car; therefore, we couldn’t live without it.

One week after moving to Chicago, we left Mr. Sun by accident in a church nursery. Oh, the devastation! I searched and searched for a replacement — Babies ‘R Us, Target, Wal-Mart, Buy Buy Baby — but to no avail.

And then, after Charlie was far too old to care much about Mr. Sun, I spotted one. At Nordstrom Rack. And so Mr. Sun became part of our family once again. Or at least part of our baby-toy storage bin, waiting for #2 to come along.

Enter: Lillian. At three months old, she has just learned that toys can be such great fun! She wraps her little fingers around them, shakes them in delight (not in a coordinated fashion, of course), and especially loves when we dance them about in front of her face with big goofy grins on our own. And so far, Mr. Sun seems to be the favorite. Lillian even likes it when I sing my lovely song: “Mr. Sun, Mr. Sun, comin’ to get my Lilli-un.” She’s so gracious.

Change

My poor Charlie has experienced an entire toddlerhood of change in the past three months:

Lillian was born.
We took away his soothers (pacifiers).
We moved to a new state and into my parents’ house.
He now sleeps in a twin bed.

Enter: The Terrible Twos.

We have just two transitions left in the foreseeable future: potty training and moving into our own home. And I’m not in a rush for either one.

Little talking girl

I just have to say it: I’m smitten with this girl!

Welcome, Fall

The day after I learned I was having a girl, I attended a kids’-stuff swap. I was so giddy as I searched through the little bitty girly clothes, and I returned home with a full bag of free stuff! Among the items was this super-cute leafy green outfit, and I became prematurely excited for fall, when I could dress my baby girl in this seasonal ensemble.

The big move

We made it to Kansas! All of us! Safe and sound!

But I’ll back up to last Saturday, the day we had a swarm of helpful bodies in our apartment, packing and organizing and loading up the truck.

And playing with babies.

These are sweet friends: Liz on the left with her daughter, Adalie, and Torrie on the right with baby Jared.

And here is Charlie with his buddies Lucas and Abby. We were so grateful that his friends came over to play and distract him a bit from all the craziness. Don’t you think Charlie and Abby could pass as siblings?

Charlie and Lucas found ways to entertain themselves and stay out of the way.

Here’s Abby’s mommy, my friend Dana, and her daughter Elle. Plus my little Lilybean.

On Sunday I flew to Wichita with my mom and the kids. We had a great flight, tucked away in the back of the dinky plane and surrounded by empty seats. The best way to travel with kids! It was amazingly relaxing and enjoyable. On the drive to our new home, the kids totally crashed. Too much activity for one day!

And we’re home!